Thursday, July 30, 2015

As I sit in the basement, trying to get my brain to think on this hot, sticky day, it's hard to remember how cold it was last Saturday. 61 degrees (F) with a light but steady wind from the east and iffy skies. So of course we headed to Naskeag, a launch site from which we regularly get caught in fog or rain.

But we go to Naskeag for multiple reasons; you can get to islands without crossing any channels, it's easy to get to and rarely crowded, and most importantly, there are so many wonderful places to go if it is clear enough

There is plenty of parking for cars at Naskeag Point in Brooklin Maine, but less for vehicles towing trailers. Some trailers parked on the beach (a firm crushed granite beach), some along side of the road, a few placed a trailer in one spot, truck in the other and one took up four or five spaces.

Though the skies were gray, there was no fog, so we headed across to Pond Island, passing on the way Mahoney, a active bird island. In addition to the variety showing up in the picture (cormorant, gulls, eiders) terns, guillemots, and loons hung out by the island.

Our crossing took us to Opechee, then it was a matter of seeing if we could beat low to cross between Opechee and Jons, and again between Opechee and Black. The water was just passable between Opechee and Black.

Over 100 seals were spotted on various ledges. This shot is of a crowded ledge east of John's Island.

Only one raccoon was scene, running free on Opechee.

Lunch, at just about low, was on Pond Island, before riding some choppy water back to Naskeag.

Another picture from Pond Island

Summary: Launch 10:30AM, low just about noon, finish about 1:30. 8 miles, one break. Naskeag offers about 20 single car spaces, trailered vehicles tend to part on the side of the road. Port-a-pottie. All tides crushed rock ramp, dock, also a nice picnic area and beach at the launch.

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